A pathway to PhD in science

Ghofran Al-nasiri, a refugee from Iraq, was given a chance to achieve her dreams of becoming a science researcher through VU’s pathways program.

"I was born in Iraq and I left my country during the Gulf War at the age of 10. I spent five years in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia before settling in Iran. In 1999, at the age of 20, I came to Australia with a young child and shortly after arriving in Australia I had my second child. In 2007 I decided to pursue my dream of having an education.

English is my second language so when I began my VCE at TAFE, I wasn't able to speak and write even basic sentences. I completed years 11 and 12; however, my ATAR score was low. I was lucky because I was offered a place in Foundation Studies as a pathway course at Victoria University to continue my journey and achieve my goal.

The acknowledgements I received from the university along the way encouraged me to achieve more. In 2009, I received an Outstanding Achievement Certificate in Foundation Studies. In 2012, I received the Golden Key International Honour Society Certificate. In 2014 I received the Dean’s Scholar Awards of College of Engineering and Science.

I am currently undertaking my PhD research in a project which aims to develop strategies for extending shelf-life of food products. I am also teaching undergraduate chemistry lab classes and some tutorial classes. My next goal is to become a lecturer and researcher and use my experience to influence and inspire other students as much as possible."

Courses studied

• Foundation Studies in Engineering and Science
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Chemical Science) (no longer offered)
• Doctor of Philosophy

Find out more about engineering and science courses at VU.